The Mindfulness Edge

7The Perfection of the Present Moment

Starting the practice of mindfulness training is very simple. You could try it right now if you like. Just be a beginner.

Ask yourself in your mind, “What is it like to sit here right now?” Don't try to answer the question. Just be intensely curious about and open to what's happening within you and around you right now, then now, then now, and so on. Keep that curious attitude alive.

You might notice what it feels like to sit. You might notice what you hear or see or smell. If you're really curious and open, you might notice that you're breathing. You might notice what it feels like as the body breathes in and breathes out. Please take 10–15 seconds to explore what it is like to sit there right now.

How was it? Were you able simply to be open to what was happening without being distracted by your thinking? With the guidance above, my guess is that you were successful for about 10 or 15 seconds. However, I would also guess that 10 to 15 seconds is about as long as most people can be mindfully self-aware before they revert back to being that voice in their heads that wants to analyze or judge experience or before they are completely distracted by their thinking.

As a species, we are not very good at sustaining our attention without being distracted. We are likely quite aware of this through our own experience, and research confirms that experience. ...